The Cancer Project

I recently attended a class sponsored by my Livestrong YMCA exercise group that presented the Cancer Project Diet, which is basically a very low fat (Less than 10%) vegan diet.  I’ve made a lot of changes in my diet since my diagnosis in March 2011 with stage 4 BC, and while I’m not quite vegan, I’m moving in that direction.  It’s pretty clear from nutritionists I’ve spoken to and on-line research that a mostly plant-based diet combined with regular exercise can greatly improve your health and reduce both your chance of breast cancer and your chance of recurrence.  I think that the Cancer Diet restriction of fat to 10% is lower than necessary, based on what I’ve read elsewhere, especially if you eat mostly healthier fats like olive oil. At stage 4, I’m just hoping to support the medical treatment I’m getting and hang in there until something better comes along.  I’m still on my first AI (arimidex), but my most recent blood work showed an increase in CA 27.29 from 43 to 53 (it started at 188), so I’m going in for another PET/CT on Tuesday, but meanwhile I’ve lost 88 pounds and my health has been excellent.  I was already moving towards eating a more vegetarian diet, but that just substituted lots more cheese and other dairy for red meat.  Cutting out dairy was the hardest part for me, but it’s amazing what you can do with the right motivation!  I urge you to check out their website and that of the American Institute for Cancer Research, which encourages a mostly plant-based diet, but allows small amounts of poultry and seafood.  Don’t think, well I could never eat like that!  Just start moving in that direction (and start moving on an exercise program) and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is.